Method of and means for cutting tubes



July 2l, 1925.

J. A. CAMERON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CUTTING TUBES Filed Nov. ll, 1920u if i n mung@ "1' L'" f--u-.' a

2 Sheets-Sheet l July 21, 1925.

J. A. CAMERON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CUTTING TUBES FiledNOv. l1, 1920 2Sheets-Sheet 2 5140044450@ Jme Udine/om Patented July 21, 1925.v

` UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

'JAMES A. CAMERON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CAMERON MACHINECOMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD F AND MEANS FOR CUTTING TUBES.

` Application filed November useful Improvements in Methods of and Meansfor Cutting Tubes, of which the :tollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to tube cutting machines, and has for its mainobject and feature an improvement whereby it will notbe necessary tochange the size of the mandrel for differentsizes of tubes. It is thepresent l practice in the art of tube cutting to use a mandrel or corefor mounting the tube when cutting same into arbitrary lengths, whichcore lits the inside diameter of the tube, there being a separatemandrel for each diameter of tube, and this core has heretofore beenmade of a soft metal, usually brass or bronze, and the action of thecutters has been to score circumferential rings or depressions in itssoft surface, with the cut is depressed into these rings and made roughand the inside diameter of the tube at this, point is therefore slightlysmaller than at any other point, and this is a decided disadvantage.

In the accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed in a concreteand preferred form in whichp Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly brokenaway and in section, of a machine embodying the invention:

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation, partly of arrow 2 of Fig. 1:

Fig; 3 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of line 3 -3 of Fig. 1:p

Fig. 4 is a top plan view ofone end of the machine:

Fig. 5 is a more or less diagrammatic end view of the upper part of themachine.

1 indicates afrotatable mandrel consisting preferably of an inner coreand outer hardened sleeves capable otv resisting cutting action of scorecutters 3 so that the latter This mandrel is supported at one. end inbearing 4: capable of sustaining the weight of the mandrel. 5 indicatesa second bearing pivotally supported at 6 and capable of r being swungout ofthe way as indicated in result that the severed edge of the tubesov in section, looking in the direction' will not cut circumferentialgrooves therein.

11,1920. Serial No. 423,273.

' dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that a tube may be readily introducedon themandrel. Outward movement of bearing 5 is limited by stop 7, andSindicates a latch pivotally supported at 9 on the framework and adaptedto have its end l() pass behind roller 11 so vas to retain said bearingin endwise engagement with the mandrel. 12are two upright standardssupported by adjustable nuts 13 in sleeve 14 bolted to the framework.Pivotally supported 011 these standards is a rocking supporting member15 that extends parallel with the mandrel. Carried by said support-ingmember is a rail 16 also parallel with the mandrel, said rail having arounded top, as shown, to pivotally support cutter holders 17. To spacethe cutter holders properly, endwisev ides 18 .are provided, said guidesbeing a justably secured to rail v16. Cutters 3 of the `character knownas score cutters are rotatably mounted on the cutter holders. Carried by.rocking member 15 are two rearward extensions 19 to whichv isadjustably secured an abutment member 20 that extends parallel to therail and mandrel. Springs 21 are interposed between the ends of thecutter holders and the abutment member. The tension of the spring ofeach cutter holder may be individually adjusted by meansy of screw 22 orotherwise. 23 is a foot pedal supported at 24 and connected by means ofrod 25 and arm 26 with Arocking member 15. 27 and 28 indicate fast andloose pulleys on the mandrel.`

Normally, gravity will movethe cutter parts into thev position shown inFig. 3, but when the pedal is depressed, member 15 will rock on itspivotal support thereby causing Vthe cutters to engage a tubeon themandrel and thereafter causing a turning movement of the cutter holderson the curved surface of the rail 16. This causes the tension of springs21 to be increased so that each cutteris held against the .mandrel withindi- 1 vidual spring pressure.

Pressing the cutters into engagement with the tubewill cause the latterto be pressed against the rotating mandrel and due V'tothis fact thetube will follow the rotation of said mandrel and the paper or othermaterial of which'` the tube is made will be severed.

Heretofore it has been customary to have the tube fit the mandrel snuglyand to insert a mandrel of proper diameter when during thecuttingaction.

cutting different diameters of tubes. With the arrangement shown this isunnecessary because if a tube of larger diameter than that of themandrel -is introduced on the mandrel, the cutters will press a part ofthe inside periphery of the tube against said mandrel and Will properlysupport the tube To insert a tube on the mandrel or to remove thesevered rings, bearing 5 is movedinto the dotted line position shown inFig. l'.

I claim:

l. A tube cutting machine comprising: as

at the point of cutting and to effect the cutting operation, and meansfor rotating the mandrel at will.

2. A tube cutting machine comprising: a rotatable mandrel to looselyreceive a tube, and score cutters engaging the outside of the tube toeffect rotation of the tube on the mandrel and cutting thereof bypressing a part of its inside periphery against the mandrel.

3. A tube cutting machine comprising: a rotatable mandrel to looselyreceive a tube, and score cutting means to engage the outside of thetube to effect rotation of the-tube on. the mandrel and cutting thereofby pressing a part of its inside periphery against the mandrel. v

4f. A tube cutting machine comprising: a rotatable mandrel, bearings forsaid mandrel admitting of endwise introduction of a tube on the mandrelwhile the latter is supported by one of said bearings, a rockingsupport, a plurality of cutter holders pivotally supported on therocking support, rotatable cutters in said cutter holders, means foractuating the rocking support, and individually adjustable spring meansfor placing the cutters under increasing tension by continued movementof the rocking support after the cutters engage the tube.

5. A tube cutting machine comprising: a rotatable mandrel, a bearing atone end of said mandrel capable of sustaining it even when unsupportedat its other end, a bearing at the other end of the mandrel toadditionally support the same during rotation thereof, means for rockingsaid second bearing endwise of the shaft to admit of introduction of atube on the mandrel While the latter is supported by the first bearing,and cutters to coact With the mandrel to cut the tube thereon.

6. The method of cutting a tube into sections Which consists in mountingthe tube loosely on a rotatable mandrel, and then pressing part of itsinside periphery against thle3 mandrel to thereby rotate and cut the tue.

7. Themethod of cutting a tube into sections Which consists in mountingthe tube loosely on a rotatable mandrel, and then pressing part of itsinside periphery against the mandrel, While the mandrel rotates, tothereby rotate the tube on the mandrel and cut it.

Signed at the Borough of Brooklyn 1n the county of Kings, city and Stateof ew York, this 9th day of November, 1920.

JAMES A. CAMERON.

